This is an original article from Bitter Winter.
https://bitterwinter.org/from-orchards-to-auctions-the-chinese-robbery-of-uyghur-wealth-part-i
The genocide policy implemented by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Xinjiang/East Turkestan is still continuing with all its violence. This genocide policy is felt in every aspect of life, from the placement of Uyghurs in concentration camps to forced sterilization, from the rape of women to the separation of children from their families.
An essential dimension of the Uyghur genocide is the confiscation of the assets of the Uyghur people and their impoverishment. The systematic confiscation of Uyghur wealth in the Uyghur region is not just a modern strategy but a long-standing method of control and repression with deep roots in Chinese policies dating back to the mid-20th century. What once began with land reform in Uyghurs’ orchards and farms has evolved into a comprehensive campaign of economic displacement, with Uyghur businesses and property regularly confiscated and auctioned under the guise of counterterrorism or modernization.
Underlying this ongoing expropriation is a broader plan to undermine Uyghur existence, erode their economic base, and reshape the region for Han Chinese settlers’ domination. This series explores the historical origins, methods, and effects of China’s relentless campaign to deprive the Uyghur people of their wealth, from ancestral orchards to today’s auction blocks.
Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the CCP initiated land reform policies that were particularly harsh in regions such as Xinjiang (East Turkestan). The government classified many Uyghur farmland owners as “landlords” and confiscated their land, homes, and property. These so-called land reforms were highly politicized and resulted in the indiscriminate confiscation of property from Uyghur families, especially in agricultural areas such as Kashgar.
The atrocities perpetrated by the CCP during the so-called land reforms have reached incredible proportions. It is reported that the number of victims killed during land reform across China, including Uyghur lands, has exceeded one million. According to one study, families who owned even a pot of sugar or a water buffalo to plow the fields were reported so that their property could be confiscated. Thus, in some parts of China, the so-called land reform has become entirely arbitrary and out of control, with completely innocent peasants falling victim to an indiscriminate mob mentality.
Over the following decades, the Chinese Communist Party’s repressive policies continued to erode Uyghurs’ economic well-being. The Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966 and lasted for a decade, saw further attacks on Uyghur property owners and intellectuals, while the 1980s and 1990s brought waves of Han Chinese migration that began to change the demographic and economic landscape of the region.
After Xi Jinping took the helm of China in 2012, repression in the Uyghurs’ homeland has intensified. In recent years, notably in 2014, he launched the “Strike Hard Campaign.” Since its introduction, the confiscation of Uyghurs’ assets has accelerated dramatically. On the other hand, Xi Jinping announced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. While projects stretching from China to Europe and Africa were on the agenda, the Chinese Communist Party claimed that it aimed for the world’s equal economic growth. Xi gives the message that China will eradicate poverty worldwide at every opportunity.
However, when it comes to Uyghurs, this so-called equal development disappears. Instead, the Chinese government has implemented repressive policies under the guise of fighting so-called extremism. The Beijing government uses a variety of methods to confiscate Uyghurs’ assets under the guise of counterterrorism, economic development or modernization initiatives. One of the most common strategies is land expropriation, where large tracts of agricultural land are taken from Uyghur farmers for industrial development, resource extraction projects, or redistribution to Han Chinese settlers. The compensation given to Uyghurs whose property is confiscated is often far below market value and insufficient for Uyghurs to maintain their previous standard of living. The loss of fertile land that once belonged to Uyghurs represents a significant financial blow and severs Uyghurs’ ties to their ancestral lands.
When looking at the Chinese Communist Party’s methods of confiscation, the expropriation of businesses, especially in sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and tourism, is also a common occurrence. Uyghur-owned businesses are forcibly transferred to state ownership or Han Chinese management. These seizures are often carried out under the pretext of so-called anti-terrorism investigations or allegations of financial irregularities based on no evidence. Many Uyghur business owners have been detained in internment camps, and their assets have been frozen or confiscated in their absence.
Another way in which Uyghurs’ assets are being removed is through so-called urban renewal programs. For example, urban renewal projects have resulted in the demolition of traditional Uyghur neighborhoods in cities such as Kashgar, Khotan, and Urumqi. Residents are often relocated to modern apartment blocks located far from their communities and previous livelihoods. These displacements disrupt the social networks and economic patterns that have sustained Uyghur communities for generations.
Another tool often used by the authorities is asset freezes. Bank accounts and property of Uyghurs accused of so-called “extremism” or “separatism” are usually frozen, leaving families destitute. Even Uyghurs not directly accused of crimes see their assets frozen if they have suspected family members. In addition to financial assets, items of cultural and historical significance, including artwork, manuscripts, and religious artifacts, have been confiscated from Uyghur families and institutions. This is not only a financial loss, but also the erasure of Uyghur cultural heritage.
The confiscation of Uyghur wealth serves multiple purposes for the genocidal Chinese Communist Party. First, the government is weakening the economic base of Uyghur society, making the population more dependent on state support and employment, and increasing pressure on individuals and communities. The confiscation of Uyghur assets also facilitates the transfer of resources to Han Chinese settlers and state-owned companies, supporting the government’s efforts to change the demographic and economic balance of the region.
Moreover, the relocation of Uyghurs from traditional neighborhoods to modern, easily monitored housing complexes provides for increased surveillance and control over Uyghur communities in violation of human rights. By separating Uyghurs from their traditional economic activities and living spaces, the government aims to remove the material basis of Uyghur culture and identity. Asset confiscation also serves as a powerful tool to punish those who do not demonstrate their loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and to deter others from resisting government policies.
The systematic confiscation of Uyghurs’ assets has led to widespread economic displacement and marginalization. Many Uyghurs have been forced from self-sufficient agricultural or small business lifestyles into low-wage labor or unemployment. This economic repression serves as a powerful tool of control and assimilation, making it increasingly difficult for Uyghurs to maintain their traditional way of life or achieve economic independence.
The loss of agricultural livelihoods has been one of the most devastating impacts. As farmland has been converted for industrial use or confiscated for state-run agricultural projects, many Uyghur farmers have lost their primary source of income. Economic development has been concentrated in cities, leaving rural Uyghur communities behind. Urban renewal projects have often pushed Uyghurs to the peripheries of cities, away from economic opportunities. Discrimination in favor of Han Chinese in hiring is also widespread in the Uyghur region. Uyghurs face widespread discrimination in hiring, especially for high-paying jobs in the growing industrial and service sectors. Many job postings explicitly state preferences for Han Chinese applicants or require fluency in Mandarin, effectively excluding many Uyghurs.
